Hill climbs
Radford will contest Pikes Peak with a car designed by a Frenchman
The Radford Type 62-2 Pikes Peak Edition was designed by Alan Derosier. © Radford
The 101st edition of the Pikes Peak hill climb (Colorado, June 25) is gaining in spectacle. A few days after the participation ofAlpine with a special A110, another sports car is tackling the “Race to the Clouds”: the Radford Type 62-2.
ALSO READ > Alpine presents the A110 Pikes Peak
This British manufacturer, relaunched by the 2009 world champion of Formula 1 Jenson Button in 2021 launched his first car, the Type 62-2, based on the Lotus Exige. But the Pikes Peak version no longer has much to do with the initial model!
Let's first clarify the "cocorico" side of this car. The design is the work of French artist Alan Derosier!
“It was great to be able to work closely with a group of incredible people, wrote Alan Derosier on Instagram. What a great opportunity to learn about aerodynamics, airflow, downforce, air pressure, air delivery…. Thanks to all these people, we were able to overcome almost every situation and deliver a product that is very close to our original intention! Only our obsession, constant dedication and infinite passion made this possible! »
Indeed, this race-ready version weighs just 861 kg and uses most of the bodywork elements of the standard Type 62-2, with a body widened by 230 mm and an entirely composite monocoque compared to the aluminum chassis of the road car.
The front and rear underbody, as well as the suspension geometry, have also been improved. To maximize downforce and ensure aerodynamic efficiency and balance, all bodies have undergone extensive computer aerodynamic simulations.
The JUBU Performance company built a custom 710 hp engine from a supercharged 6 liter V3.5 engine. Featuring a sequential paddle shift gearbox, the car will reach a top speed of 160 mph and an impressive 0-96 mph in less than 2,2 seconds. To optimize performance, Radford worked closely with Mobil1 to develop a Pikes Peak-specific oil blend to improve performance at high altitudes (finishing at 4m).
The car is also equipped with soft Yokohama tires, created specifically to meet the demands of racing.
Behind the wheel, the drift and racing specialist rallycross Tanner Foust will take his seat. The American won a category in 2022 at Pikes Peak.
Medhi Casaurang
Passionate about the history of motorsport across all disciplines, I learned to read thanks to AUTOhebdo. At least that's what my parents tell everyone when they see my name inside!
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